Tags: ML | Lebanon | Band Controversy

European Band Pulls out of Lebanon Festival in Protest

European Band Pulls out of Lebanon Festival in Protest

Sunday, 04 August 2019 07:38 AM EDT

BEIRUT (AP) — European rock band Within Temptation says it is cancelling its concert at a Lebanese music festival in solidarity with a local group whose show was pulled from the program under pressure from Christian groups.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Within Temptation said Sunday they would withdraw from the Byblos International Festival in solidarity with Mashrou' Leila and in support of tolerance and freedom of speech. It said Lebanese authorities have been unable to provide artists the security "to perform in peace." Within Temptation was to perform Wednesday.

Concert organizers had said they were forced to cancel Mashrou' Leila, a famous Lebanese band with an openly gay singer, after Christian groups called the band's songs an insult to Christianity. Threats followed to stop the show by force.

© Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


GlobalTalk
European rock band Within Temptation says it is cancelling its concert at a Lebanese music festival in solidarity with a local group whose show was pulled from the program under pressure from Christian groups.In a statement posted on Facebook, Within Temptation said Sunday...
ML,Lebanon,Band Controversy
129
2019-38-04
Sunday, 04 August 2019 07:38 AM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
 
TOP

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
NEWSMAX.COM
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved